Black Solstice-Chapter 26: Demon’s Doctrine of Mystics [3]
Teacher Tyrus started writing today’s topic on the blackboard, which read:
[Difference between Atmospheric Reishi and Soul Reishi.]
She swept her gaze across the classroom.
"As you can see, today’s topic will focus on the concept of reishi between these two types. The reishi in one’s soul and the reishi in the atmosphere are completely different, yet there’s a common misconception that they’re the same. Can someone be so kind as to elaborate on the difference between them?"
Murmurs rippled across the room as several students exchanged uncertain glances. Most avoided eye contact, pretending to be busy flipping through their notes.
I kept my head down as well. The last thing I needed was to be called out at my current state.
Not that I didn’t know the answer, of course.
A hand eventually rose from the middle row. It belonged to a girl with silver-rimmed glasses and a neatly braided ponytail, one of the class representatives.
"The difference between atmospheric reishi and individual reishi lies in their quantity. While the amount of reishi varies from person to person, it can still be exhausted if used continuously. On the other hand, the reishi in the atmosphere is not limited by quantitative values and is completely abundant..."
She paused, adjusting her glasses before continuing.
"However, atmospheric reishi is also less stable and harder to refine. Individual reishi is already processed by the soul, making it more compatible with one’s body. So even though atmospheric reishi is plentiful, it’s not immediately usable without proper cultivation."
A few students murmured in recognition, as if pieces of the puzzle were finally clicking together.
Teacher Tyrus gave an approving nod. "A concise explanation. However, there’s a minor detail that you omitted. The main difference lays in their properties, not their abundance."
The female representative looked like she had been slapped. Disregarding her pitiful expression, Tyrus continued:
"The atmospheric reishi is constantly pumped into the world by the Gods of Machine, and it is not restricted by dimensional boundaries. That is why it exists both in Niflheim and on Earth. The gods dictate how reishi behaves, an authority that appears almighty, yet also binds it."
She began pacing slowly, each step punctuating her words.
"You might assume the essence of this reishi is tied to the spiritual plane, but in reality, these so-called particles are mechanical constructs known as nanobots. These nanobots travel through dimensional boundaries and, as a result, carry a special type of energy called Aether, fundamental particles that make up nearly eighty percent of the cosmos."
Tyrus tapped the chalk lightly against the board.
"Now, listen carefully. Before this academy was founded, humans and demons had no direct access to Aether. What you call cultivation today began as accidental interaction with these nanobots. Only through evolution and conflict did our species learn how to harness it."
"In contrast, soul reishi contains no nanobots. It is produced entirely by your spiritual core, shaped by will and emotion. This is why atmospheric and soul reishi cannot be treated as interchangeable. Their origins, properties, and behaviors are fundamentally different. The two are separate, yet neither can be used effectively without the other. The strength of one’s magical abilities depends on how well their spiritual power resonates with the atmospheric reishi, amplifying the resulting effect."
"This is why some individuals are more proficient in manipulating atmospheric reishi than their personal reishi, and vice versa. Because of this distinction, the academy established two classifications for Combat Arts: the Mage Division and the Knight Division. A demon mage can easily manipulate their surroundings by ejecting their spiritual pressure outward, allowing them to bend reality to their will. A demon knight can produce a similar effect, but at a more limited scale, their range is confined to the space around their bodies."
As if remembering something, she paused, tilting her head before adding:
"Of course, there are the unorthodox types who do not fit neatly into either category, but such individuals are rare and irrelevant to the subject we are discussing today."
Someone exclaimed an "Oh", accompanied by a sound.
Apparently, a rather short but strikingly beautiful devil wearing glasses was eagerly scribbling down every word in his notebook. It seemed likely that his True Form was that of an Imp.
I leaned forward, growing curious about what she was saying.
"Now we will be moving on with the discussion between Mages and Knights," she wrote stylishly on the blackboard. "There is a deep-rooted misunderstanding about their abilities that I want to clear up today. Many assume that Mages are inherently stronger than Knights simply because they manipulate atmospheric reishi. That is not true. Strength is not determined by the type of reishi you manipulate, but by how efficiently you can synchronize it with your own soul reishi."
"A Mage can influence vast areas and perform dramatic feats of magic, but if their soul reishi is weak or poorly attuned, even the most abundant atmospheric reishi will yield mediocre results. Conversely, a Knight may seem limited in scope, confined to the area immediately around their body, but their attacks and defenses are devastating because they are directly channeled from their Source. However, as both grow stronger over time, the difference between them gradually diminishes."
She underlined ’source’ and ’diminishes’ while circling ’difference.’ Turning back, Tyrus asked,
"With this in mind, tell me, how would a battle between a Mage and a Knight play out if they were of equal experience but different strengths?"
A few students hesitated, glancing at one another. Finally, a boy in the front row raised his hand cautiously.
"Well... the Mage could control a larger area, maybe attack from a distance, while the Knight would have more concentrated, powerful attacks but limited range," he said tentatively.
Tyrus nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Exactly. But let me illustrate with an example."
She drew two circles on the board, one large and one small.
"Imagine this large circle represents the Mage’s area of influence, the atmospheric reishi they manipulate stretches across it. They can cast fireballs, barriers, even minor environmental manipulation throughout this zone. If they coordinate properly with their soul reishi, the spells are strong and fluid. But if their resonance falters, a single misstep could disrupt their entire attack pattern."
She then pointed to the smaller circle. "This smaller circle represents a Knight. Their reach is limited and confined to the space immediately surrounding their body. But notice the thickness of this line, this represents the density of power. A Knight can crush a Mage’s fireball with a single strike or withstand a flurry of attacks that would scatter most others. Their strength is concentrated and precise, not sprawling and flexible."
Tyrus stepped back, letting the visual settle in. "Now, in the early stages of training, the difference is stark. A Mage can overwhelm a Knight from a distance, while the Knight struggles to reach them. But as both grow, as their soul reishi strengthens and their synchronization with atmospheric reishi improves, the gap narrows. A Knight may extend their influence, a Mage may refine their attacks, and suddenly the battle is less about range and more about skill, strategy, and timing."
She turned her gaze on the class.
"So remember this: never underestimate a Demon Knight because they seem limited, and never overestimate a Demon Mage simply because their magic looks impressive. Power is measured not just by scale, but by the harmony between soul and reishi."
A few students scribbled feverishly, while others leaned back, digesting the new perspective.
Noticing this, Tyrus smiled knowingly and asked,
"Any questions for this Devil?"
A few hands went up, and the class spent the next few minutes addressing minor questions from various students, each clarification adding small pieces to their understanding.
As the giant bell tower began to chime, signaling the end of the period, Tyrus concluded the discussion with a few final remarks.
She made sure to remind us about the test scheduled for next week.
That announcement made a knot of unease form in my stomach.
